BOMA Help Desk: Balcony - Occupy on a Temporary Bases

Emily: C; October 4, 2023

If we have a balcony that is for planting and is accessible for maintenance only. The general public cannot access this space. Is this balcony included in the building's boundary area?
If yes, is this a service if a tenant could not modify or change this space?
Or if directly attached to a single tenant is this tenant space?

Second if a balcony is partially occupiable due to code/exit requirements and planters or other permanent blocks are installed to limit the accessible area of a balcony. Is the balcony still calculated to the extents of the innermost structure components?
or to the extents of occupiable area, matching code allowable space?

Similar question for roof top terraces. If permanent planters are installed and area is not accessible by tenants is this part of the boundary area?
With the clarification of "enjoyed by people" this eliminates service areas such as window washing track or other roof service areas that do not have three walls and a roof, correct?

David Fingret: Extreme Measures Inc.; October 5, 2023

Hi Emily,

The planting balcony must be "available to the public and/or the Building’s Occupants in order to be included as Service Area. The planting balcony could also be part of the Occupant Area if the Occupant has use of / enjoyment / exclusive use of it.

Unenclosed Building/Occupant Features also include the areas that can't be walked on, but that are enjoyed by Occupants, such as planters. This applies to Rooftop Terraces as well. Any areas that aren't enjoyed, would not be included so the Boundary Area would have to follow that Measure Line, which might not necessarily be to the structural extent.

There is a BOMA best practices document about some of this here: https://www.boma.org/BOMA/BOMA-Standards/Floor_Measurement_Best_Practices.aspx

BOMA Best Practice# 23- Is the entire area within a Finished Rooftop Terrace included in the Boundary Area? Do all sides of a Finished Rooftop Terrace need to be above grade to be included in the Boundary Area?

Thanks,
David